Select

Home / Global News / Strongest storm in 60 years batters Tonga in South Pacific

Strongest storm in 60 years batters Tonga in South Pacific

Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 by Francis Harris

Over 100 homes were destroyed in Nuku'alofa in Tropical Cyclone Gita. 13 February 2018

The Tongan government's efforts to assess the extent of destruction by Tropical Cyclone Gita have been hindered by falling trees and downed power poles.

As the Category 4 storm approached, communications were lost with isolated parts of the archipelago, leaving hundreds detached from contact with the outside world.

Desperate people boarded up their homes and stocked up on essential supplies while praying and hoping for the best before heading to the safety of emergency shelters.

Gita, a category four storm, battered the island overnight and caused widespread damage, reports the BBC.

"Those two kept it all night and one had to stay up at the center and the other one had to get supplies in the middle of strong wind and heavy rain and they should be commended highly and their commitment to help the people".

Wind gusts at Ono-i-Lau had reached 190km/h last night.

Leweniqila said crops on the southern islands had been damaged, but Fiji's most populated centers escaped serious harm as Gita passed south of Fiji's capital, Suva.

Air Commodore McEvoy says an Air Force's P-3K2 Orion aircraft has also just arrived in the area to conduct an aerial survey of the Tongan islands that suffered the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Gita.

Britain's meteorological Met Office saidGita is maintaining its strength, and is the strongest cyclone to lash Tonga in 60 years. However, Tonga's century-old parliament building is among the confirmed structural casualties.

Popular news

Valentine's Day vs Ash Wednesday
The crosses created an instant connection between my peers and myself. "Father Richard Hall will be celebrating the mass for us". Archbishop Loy Chong said " Lent is not about giving up as it is about returning to the source that is God".Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Trump plans on replacing portion of food stamps with food
The food-stamp program served 42.2 million people during the 2017 fiscal year, with many spending the benefits at supermarkets. The box of food is being called "America's Harvest Box" by the Agriculture Department, the Washington Post reported .Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Luke Wilson, Bill Haas reportedly involved in fatal wreck
The Ferrari collided with a BMW and a 71-year-old man driving the Ferrari was pronounced dead at the scene. The 35-year-old Haas was taken to the hospital, suffering from pain and swelling in his legs.Wednesday, February 14, 2018